By Nicholas Ojo
A public holiday has been announced by Saudi Arabia’s King, Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, following the country’s historic victory over Argentina at the World Cup in Qatar on Tuesday.
Saudi Arabia came from behind to win 2-1 against Argentina and pull off one of the World Cup’s greatest shocks at the Lusail Stadium on Tuesday, in front of a crowd of 88,012.
King Salman on Twitter promptly announced a day off for its 35 million citizens so they can celebrate the momentous game properly.
According to Arabnews, King Salman approved a suggestion made by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to celebrate the national team’s victory with a holiday.
The tweet read, “King Salman orders that tomorrow, Wednesday, will be a holiday for all employees in public and private sectors as well as students in all phases of education in celebration of #SaudiArabia’s stunning victory against Argentina in #WorldCup2022.”
All public and private sector employees and students at all educational stages will be given a holiday.
Lionel Messi gave Argentina, one of the favourites to win the tournament, a 10th-minute lead from the penalty spot with a coolly taken spot kick.
But two goals early in the second half, including an outstanding strike from Salem Al-Dawsari, turned the game on its head and left the Albiceleste with little margin for error against Mexico and Poland in their other Group C fixtures.
Argentina came into the game the overwhelming favorite. They were on course to match Italy’s record 37-match unbeaten run when they went ahead early on thanks to Messi’s penalty, which came about after a VAR check for pushing and shoving in the box.
Messi, playing in his fifth World Cup, beat Saudi Arabia goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais on a breakaway, but that goal and two others by Lautaro Martinez were ruled offside as Saudi Arabia’s high defensive line held firm.
Saleh Al-Shehri squeezed in a low shot in the 48th minute, and Al-Dawsari curled in a scorching strike from the edge of the penalty area in the 53rd minute to leave Argentina looking on in disbelief.